2002 PRESS RELEASE
DC
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL, INC. (Phone) 202-726-2204 (Fax) 202-726-8221 Date: May 2, 2004 For more information:
Caribbean Carnival Showcases 10 Years of Growth
and Cultural Diversity
“Showcasing Smiling Faces from Various Places”Thousands of revelers are expected in Washington, DC to watch the colorful, costume parade, hear the music of carnival bands, and sample Caribbean foods during D.C. Caribbean Carnival. The weeklong Caribbean festival is scheduled for June 22- 30, 2002. The festival attracts over half a million people from all over the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, and showcases the art, music, and culture of the many Caribbean immigrants who live in the Washington Metro area. The costume parade is the main feature of Carnival, as thousands will line Georgia Avenue NW between Missouri Ave., and Barry Place (opposite Howard University-Main Campus) on Saturday June 29 to dance, cheer and enjoy the parade of masqueraders in colorful costumes portraying different themes, and hear the pulsating rhythms of steelbands, calypso and soca bands. From 9 bands and approximately 500 masqueraders in 1993, DC Caribbean Carnival has grown to 20 bands and over 5000 masqueraders in 2001 with more than 90% of the costumes being locally designed and manufactured. “Carnival is about the Caribbean’s themes, costumes, music and food,” said Loughton Sargeant, Executive Director of DC Caribbean Carnival. It is a colorful, educational, and cultural event showcasing the diversity and culture of Caribbean immigrants now making their homes in the Washington Metropolitan area. Carnival events begin with a Steelband Jamboree and Sweet Iron Competition on June 22 and a Caribbean Marketplace and Cultural Show at the Banneker site on June 30 will complete the week’s activities. D.C. Caribbean Carnival is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization headquartered in the District of Columbia |